Ali, King trade barbs during televised Senate debate

Incumbent: Miller says he couldn't work with her challenger

State Sen. Nancy King (right) and Del. Saqib Ali (center), in their quest for the District 39 Senate seat, discuss election issues with NewsChannel 8 host Bruce DePuyt during his iNewsTalk daily interview show.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. does not think he could work with Del. Saqib Ali in the Maryland Senate, according to Ali's opponent in the Democratic primary, Sen. Nancy King.

Ali says King is too closely aligned with "party bosses," lobbyists and special interests in Annapolis.

"I'm the one who will be independent and working for my constituents," he said.

Ali is challenging King for her seat representing District 39 in Montgomery County.

King made the remarks and traded barbs with Ali during a Thursday morning debate on NewsChannel 8 that was moderated by Bruce DePuyt.

During the debate, Ali described King as someone who looks out for the interests of the gambling and alcohol industries before those of her constituents  a claim denied by King.

The Ali-King race is one of several contentious races in Montgomery County, including the Senate contest in District 19 between incumbent Mike Lenett (D) and Del. Roger Manno (D).

Thursday's debate lasted about 30 minutes. During a break of several minutes, the candidates did not talk to or look at each other, although they sat inches apart.

During the debate, King said if Ali replaces her in the Senate, Montgomery County would lose one of its three representatives on the influential Budget and Taxation Committee.

"Apparently she has some kind of ESP," Ali said of King's claim.

Patrick H. Murray, the deputy chief of staff for Miller (D-Dist. 27), said Thursday the Senate president has said King would not be replaced on that committee by a member of the Montgomery County delegation if she loses in September.

An attempt to confirm King's statements about Miller's opinion of Ali was unsuccessful.

But Ali said, "I've never heard him say that."

Ali said Miller never publicly said he would have difficulty working with him.

"I'm eager to work with all of the other state senators, including Mike Miller," Ali said in an interview after the debate.